According to an OEM, Microsoft’s Windows Phone licensing fee is dropping. That OEM is Infosonics, maker of affordable Android-powered handsets sold in Latin America.

Speaking to PCMag, Joseph Ram, Infosonics CEO, said, “We’re hearing Microsoft will drop the license fee quite a bit, as far as 70 percent, which will make their product more competitive in terms of price.”

He added, “We’re seeing trends that Microsoft is working with major chipmakers to create the right ecosystem to be able to bring cheaper products to market. It’s not going to be so difficult to bring an equally-priced product [to Android] with a Windows OS.”

Back in 2012, ZTE said Microsoft charges $23-30 per device to license Windows Phone. Back in December, The Verge said that the Redmond firm was considering lowering this fee.

Do you think Windows Phone will give Android a run for its money when it comes to entry-level handsets? Let us know through a comment on our Phones Limited Facebook page.

According to market expert Kantar (pdf), “Windows is the fastest growing OS in the world.”

In part of Kantar Worldpanel analyst Dominic Sunnebo’s report, he writes, “If Android and Apple can claim to be the big players of 2013, Windows Phone wins the title of top-performer. It wasn’t a promising start for Windows Phone when launched in October 2010 as solid reviews failed to translate into meaningful sales. A lack of apps and consumer wariness of a new platform were blamed and many claimed that the experiment had failed. Three years later and Windows is the fastest growing OS in the world. It has overtaken Apple in Italy, is a close second in Germany and has snatched back third place in Britain.

“What changed?

“Windows is the fastest growing OS in the world

“Most early adopters were already on their second smartphone when Windows Phone launched, making it very hard for Nokia to attract them across to a new platform. The turning point for Windows Phone was 2013’s launch of the Nokia Lumia 620 and 520. Changing tactic and re-focusing on the low to middle-end of the market appealed to a large number of the remaining first-time smartphone buyers, many of whom still own Nokia featurephones. It has sucked up the remaining customers from Symbian and BlackBerry and is now eating into the low-end Android market. The good news for Nokia and Microsoft is that once consumers buy their first smartphone and become more engaged in the market, they are willing to spend significantly more on their upgrade. Nokia may be skewed to the low end now, but if it can keep its increasing base of customers loyal the high-end should follow soon after.”

Do you agree? Let us know through a comment on our Phones Limited Facebook page.

Nokia has announced that the Nokia Lumia 1320 phablet will be coming to the UK on the 24th of February.

Nokia announced in a press release, “Nokia introduces its larger than life Lumia 1320 to the UK market, bringing many of the high-end Lumia innovations to a 6-inch screen smartphone at a significantly lower price point. The latest imaging features, like Nokia Camera and Nokia Storyteller, the most loved Lumia experiences such as global mapping and location services from HERE, together with unlimited streaming of ad-free music with Nokia MixRadio, all come packaged together to offer consumers a compelling choice in a larger-screen smartphone.”

Conor Pierce, VP of Nokia in the UK & Ireland, said, “We are building on the continued success of the Lumia range by looking to offer the latest Windows Phone in a large-screen smartphone format at a highly competitive price. Consumers and particularly businesses will love its large screen, warm industrial design and the richer imaging experience it is able to deliver. The Nokia Lumia 1320 brings a cost effective addition to our large screen Windows Phone portfolio.”

Speaking about the Nokia Lumia 1320’s availability in the UK, Nokia said, “Nokia Lumia 1320 goes on sale in the UK from February 24th and will be available from EE, Virgin Mobile and Carphone Warehouse as well as online retailers and independent distribution channels.”

Will you be getting your hands on the Nokia Lumia 1320? Let us know through a comment on our Phones Limited Facebook page.

Microsoft is telling Apple iPhone 4S owners via email to “ditch that old Apple” for a Nokia Lumia 1020 or a Nokia Lumia 1520.

The email titled “Ditch that old apple” reads, “You deserve something better, like the Nokia Lumia 1020 with a 41MP camera. Trade in you iPhone 4S, and get a Nokia Lumia 1020 or 1520 for free with a 2-year contract.”

One of the people who received this email from Microsoft was CNET’s Chris Matyszczyk.

He writes:

I opened my eyes a touch reluctantly this morning and began to read my e-mails in bed.

It was raining outside and the fog was thicker than “War And Peace.”

Microsoft, however, wanted to cheer me up. It sent me an e-mail with the subject line: “You deserve something better.”

“How sweet,” I thought. “I’m not sure I actually deserve something better, but, you know, if you’re offering, why would I not listen?”

I eagerly opened the e-mail and then recoiled a touch. For there was a picture of a half-eaten apple that looked like it had been sitting on a nightstand for a couple of days.

Beside it were the words: “Ditch that old apple.”

Well, who wouldn’t ditch a decrepit old fruit like that? But why had Microsoft chosen me for this slightly unedifying morning greeting?

The copy began: “You deserve something better.”

The only problem is, Chris doesn’t own an Apple iPhone 4S.

Would you trade your Apple iPhone 4S for a Nokia Lumia 1020 or Nokia Lumia 1520? Let us know through a comment on our Phones Limited Facebook page.